Signal quality measurement in cellular networks

ABSTRACT

At least one control message is received, from a cellular network. The at least one control message indicates a measurement band ( 300 ). A measurement of a signal quality of a signal received on the measurement band ( 300 ) is executed. The measurement band ( 300 ) differs from the bands ( 200 ) of at least one cell ( 101, 102, 103 ) of the cellular network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to a device configured to execute ameasurement of a signal quality and to a corresponding method. Variousembodiments relate to a network node of a cellular network configured tosend at least one control message prompting to execute a measurement ofa signal quality and to a corresponding method.

BACKGROUND

Cellular networks are widely used to facilitate mobile communication.Different radio access technologies (RATs) are known including such asspecified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 3GPP RATsinclude the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, the Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) protocol and the Global System forMobile Communication (GSM).

E.g., for the LTE RAT it is known to prompt a terminal connected to thecellular network via the LTE Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(E-UTRA) radio interface to measure and report a signal quality of thesignal received in the band of a certain cell of the cellular network,see, e.g., 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 36.331 V.12.6.0 (2015),section 5.5 “Measurements”.

However, such techniques face certain restrictions and drawbacks. E.g.,according to reference implementations, a request for a measurement isdirected to a measurement band which corresponds with a band of a cellof the cellular network.

SUMMARY

Therefore, a need exists for advanced techniques of measuring a signalquality in cellular networks. In particular, a need exists fortechniques of flexibly measuring the signal quality in variousmeasurement bands.

This need is met by the features of the independent claims. Thedependent claims define embodiments.

According to an aspect, a device is provided. The device comprises ananalogue transceiver configured to wirelessly transceive on bands of atleast one cell of a cellular network. The device further comprises adata interface coupled with the analogue transceiver. The data interfaceis configured to communicate, via the analogue transceiver, with thecellular network. The device further comprises at least one processorcoupled with the data interface. The at least one processor isconfigured to receive, from the cellular network and via the datainterface, at least one control message. The at least one controlmessage indicates a measurement band. The at least one processor isconfigured to control the analogue transceiver to execute a measurementof a signal quality of a signal received on the measurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

In some scenarios, the device may be a terminal connected to thecellular network.

In some scenarios, the device may be an access point node of thecellular network.

According to an aspect, a method is provided. The method comprisesreceiving, from a cellular network, at least one control message. The atleast one control message indicates a measurement band. The methodfurther comprises controlling an analogue transceiver to execute ameasurement of a signal quality of a signal received on the measurementband.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

According to an aspect, a network node of a cellular network isprovided. The network node comprises a data interface configured tocommunicate with a terminal connected with the cellular network via aconnected cell of at least one cell of the cellular network. The networknode comprises at least one processor coupled with the data interface.The at least one processor is configured to send, to the terminal andvia the data interface, at least one control message. The at least onecontrol message indicates a measurement band and prompts the terminal toexecute a measurement of a signal quality of a signal received on themeasurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

According to an aspect, a method is provided. The method comprisessending, to a terminal connected with the cellular network via aconnected cell of at least one cell of the cellular network, at leastone control message. The at least one control message indicates ameasurement band. The at least one control message prompts the terminalto execute a measurement of a signal quality of a signal received on themeasurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

According to an aspect, a computer program product comprising programcode to be executed by at least one processor is provided. Executing theprogram code by the at least one processor causes the at least oneprocessor to execute a method. The method comprises receiving, from acellular network, at least one control message. The at least one controlmessage indicates a measurement band. The method further comprisescontrolling an analogue transceiver to execute a measurement of a signalquality of a signal received on the measurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

According to an aspect, a computer program product comprising programcode to be executed by at least one processor is provided. Executing theprogram code by the at least one processor causes the at least oneprocessor to execute a method. The method comprises sending, to aterminal connected with the cellular network via a connected cell of atleast one cell of the cellular network, at least one control message.The at least one control message indicates a measurement band. The atleast one control message prompts the terminal to execute a measurementof a signal quality of a signal received on the measurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. In some scenarios, alternatively or additionally, theat least one control message may include an indicator indicating themeasurement band in absolute terms. In some scenarios, alternatively oradditionally, the at least one control message may include an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a centre frequency of the band of the target cell.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and featuresyet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectivecombinations indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation,without departing from the scope of the present invention. Features ofthe above-mentioned aspects and embodiments may be combined with eachother in other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional features and effects of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of cells of a cellularnetwork.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the architecture of the cellularnetwork of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates bands of the plurality of cells of the cellularnetwork of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3 illustrates a time-frequency resourceallocation scheme associated with the bands of the plurality of cellsaccording to various scenarios.

FIG. 4 illustrates measurement bands for which execution of ameasurement of a signal quality is prompted and executed according tovarious embodiments, wherein FIG. 4 illustrates the measurement bandswith respect to the band of a given one of the plurality of cells ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram of communication between the cellularnetwork and a terminal connected to the cellular network and executingthe measurement of the signal quality according to various embodiments,wherein in the embodiment of FIG. 5 a control message includes anindicator indicating the measurement band in absolute terms.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram of communication between the cellularnetwork and a terminal executing the measurement of the signal qualityaccording to various embodiments, wherein in the embodiment of FIG. 6 acontrol message includes an indicator indicating the measurement band inrelative terms with respect to a center frequency of a band of a targetcell of the plurality of cells of the cellular network.

FIG. 7 is a signaling diagram of communication between the cellularnetwork and a terminal executing the measurement of the signal qualityaccording to various embodiments, wherein in the embodiment of FIG. 7 afurther control message includes an indicator indicating a bandwidth ofthe band of a target cell of the plurality of cells of the cellularnetwork.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a terminal configured to execute themeasurement of the signal quality.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an access point node establishing agiven cell of the plurality of cells of the cellular network.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a network node of a core of thecellular network according to various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method according to various embodiments,wherein the method may be executed by the terminal of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method according to various embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a time-frequency resource scheme which isdynamically adjusted as a function of time depending on report messagesreceived by the cellular network, the report message is indicating themeasured signal quality of the measurement band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with referenceto the drawings. While some embodiments will be described in the contextof specific fields of application, e.g. in the context of certainspectral ranges and communication techniques, the embodiments are notlimited to this field of application. The features of the variousembodiments may be combined with each other unless specifically statedotherwise.

The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations andelements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.Rather, the various elements are represented such that their functionand general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Anyconnection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components,or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or describedherein may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. Acoupling between components may also be established over a wirelessconnection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware,software, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter techniques of measuring a signal quality of a signalreceived on a measurement band are illustrated. The band may define afrequency section of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g., in the range of500 MHz-6 GHz, but also above 6 GHz for modern radio accesstechnologies. The band may be specified by an upper frequency, a lowerfrequency, a center frequency, a bandwidth, etc.

Generally, the techniques may be applied for a signal communicated inuplink (UL) or downlink (DL) direction between a terminal (UE) and acellular network. As such, the measurement may be executed by the UE forDL or an access point node of the cellular network for UL.

According to various embodiments, a device comprises an analoguetransceiver, a data interface, and at least one processor. The analoguetransceiver is configured to wirelessly transceive on bands of at leastone cell of a cellular network. The data interface is coupled withanalogue transceiver and is configured to communicate, via the analoguetransceiver, with the cellular network. The at least one processor iscoupled with the data interface and configured to receive from thecellular network and via the data interface, at least one controlmessage. The at least one control message indicates a measurement band.The at least one processor is configured to control the analoguetransceiver to execute a measurement of a signal quality of a signalreceived on the measurement band.

In some scenarios, the measurement band may differ from the bands of theat least one cell. E.g., the measurement band may differ from the bandsof cells located in the vicinity of the device. In some scenarios, theat least one control message may indicate the measurement band inabsolute terms; here, no specific relationship with respect to the bandsof the at least one cell may be required. In some scenarios, the atleast one control message may indicate the measurement in relative termswith respect to the band of a target cell of the at least one cell.

By the techniques described herein, it becomes possible to flexiblyprompt and execute measurements of the signal quality for variousmeasurement bands. In particular, execution of the measurements is nottied to the existing portioning of the spectrum by the bands of existingcells.

Hereinafter, various scenarios will be described referring to the 3GPPLTE RAT. However, this is for illustrative purposes only and similartechniques may be readily applied to various kinds of RATs including,but not limited to: UMTS, GSM.

The particular type of the signal quality that is measured is notgermane for the functioning of the various examples disclosed herein.E.g., according to various examples, the measured signal quality may beselected from the group comprising: a received signal strength; aReceive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI); an average total receivedpower of a plurality of reference symbols; a received signal power; areference signal received power (RSRP); a relation between a receivedsignal strength and the received signal power; a Reference SignalReceived Quality (RSRQ).

RSRP may be defined as the linear average over the power contributions,e.g., in Watts, of the resource elements that carry cell-specificreference signals within the considered measurement band. See 3GPP TS36.214 v12.2.0, 2015-03, section 5.1.1.

RSSI may be defined as the integral power received in the consideredmeasurement band. See 3GPP TS 36.214 v12.2.0, 2015-03, section 5.1.5

RSRQ may be determined based on the RSSI and RSRP and the number of usedresource blocks (RBs), i.e., by RSRQ=(N*RSRP)/RSSI measured over thesame bandwidth. See 3GPP TS 36.214 v12.2.0, 2015-03, section 5.1.3

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates aspects relating to different cells101-103 of a cellular mobile communications network 100 (abbreviatedcellular network, hereinafter, for brevity). As can be seen, a scenariois conceivable, where a UE 120 connected to the cellular network 100 islocated such that an analogue transceiver of the UE 120 (not shown inFIG. 1) is able to transceive on the bands of the plurality of cells101-103. In the example of FIG. 1, the UE 120 is located at anoverlapping region where communication with the cellular network 100 ispossible via each one of the cells 101-103. The UE 120 is in the rangeof each one of the cells 101-103.

The type of the UE 120 is not germane for the functioning of thetechniques as illustrated herein. In the various scenarios disclosedherein, the UE 120 may be selected from the group comprising: is amobile device, a mobile phone, a smartphone, tablet, a personal digitalassistant, a mobile music player, a smart watch, a wearable electronicequipment, and a mobile computer.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the architecture of the cellularnetwork 100 in greater detail. As can be seen from FIG. 2, it ispossible that the UE 120 is connected with the cellular network 100 viaan access point node 302 establishing the cell 102; the given cell 102to which the UE 120 is connected is referred to as connected cell. Aradio interface 115 is present between the access point node 302 and theUE 120 (illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 2). E.g., communicationincluding packetized or packet-switched (PS) data transmission and/orcircuit-switched (CS) communication, e.g., for voice calls, can beimplemented via the access point node 302. For this, a network node 350of a core of the cellular network 100 may be configured to communicatewith the UE 120; e.g., the network node 350 may be a gateway node of thedata plane providing mobility anchor functionality. In some scenarios,the network node 350 may also be a node of the control plane of the coreof the cellular network 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of the time-frequency resource allocationscheme employed by the cellular network 100 in order to mitigateinterference and/or reduce collisions between data communicated on thebands 200 of the various cells 101-103. FIG. 3 illustrates varioustime-frequency RBs allocated by the time-frequency resource allocationscheme to the various cells 101-103. As can be seen, the various cells101-103 have RBs 250 assigned which differ in time and/or frequency.E.g., each RB 250 may comprise a number of sub-carriers which may beemployed, e.g., for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM).For illustrative purposes, the bandwidth 201 and the overall centerfrequency 202 of the band 200 of the cell 101 is illustrated(illustrated horizontally dashed in FIG. 3).

Sometimes, a handover of the UE 120 from the connected cell 102/theaccess point node 302 to one of the other cells 101, 103/access pointnodes 301, 303 may be desired. For this, according to legacyfunctionality, it is possible that the cellular network 100, e.g., theaccess point node 302, sends a control message to the UE 120, thecontrol message prompting the UE 120 to perform a measurement of asignal quality of the signal received on one of the bands 200 of theneighbouring cells 101, 103. According to reference implementations,values such as the RSSI, RSRP, and RSRQ are measured for the integralbands 200 of the neighboring cells 101, 103. E.g., according to the 3GPPLTE RAT, a RRCConnectionReconfiguration message may be sent whichincludes a measurement object that specifies a centre frequency of theband 200 of the respective neighboring cell 101, 103, i.e., the AbsoluteRadio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN). Thus, according to referenceimplementations, execution of the measurement is restricted to the bands200 of the cells 101-103 of the cellular network 100.

Hereinafter, techniques will be described in detail which enable toprompt and execute a measurement of a signal quality of a signalreceived on an arbitrarily defined measurement band 300 which, in somescenarios, may be different from the bands 200 of the cells 101-103 ofthe cellular network 100. This allows to flexibly measure the signalquality as needed. E.g., a frequency-resolved signal quality may bedetermined.

FIG. 3 also illustrates aspects of flexibly determining the measurementband 300. E.g., in the example of FIG. 3, the measurement band 300 islarger and includes the band 200 of the cell 103, partially overlapswith the band 200 of the cell 102, and is a subfraction of/included inthe band 200 of the cell 101. In the various scenarios disclosed herein,all such configurations and further configurations can be applied wherethe measurement band differs from the bands of the cells 101-103 of thecellular network 100. The measurement band, in the various scenariosdisclosed her in, may be arbitrarily defined, i.e., independently of thebands 200 of the cells 101-103 of the cellular network 100.

In some scenarios, the measurement may be defined in absolute terms.This may be convenient where no reference to any cells 101-103 of thecellular network 100 is desired. In other scenarios, the measurementband 300 may be defined in relative terms with respect to a target cell101-103 of the cellular network 100. This may allow to implementefficient control signalling which, by reference to parameters of theband 200 of the target cell 101-103, precisely defines the measurementband 300 in a lean and efficient manner. Backwards compatibility withreference implementations may also be achieved.

In FIG. 4, various examples with respect to the definition ofmeasurement bands 301-316 in relative terms with respect to the band 200of a target cell 101-103 are illustrated. In FIG. 4, the bandwidth 201and the center frequency 202 of a band 200 of the target cell 101-103are illustrated. E.g., the target cell 101-103 for which the bandwidth201 and the center frequency 202 are illustrated in FIG. 4 may be theconnected cell 102 via which the UE 120 is connected with the cellularnetwork 100 or may be another cell 101, 103. FIG. 4 illustrates exampleconfigurations A-E for one or more measurement bands 301-316 for whichexecution of a measurement of a respective signal quality is promptedand executed.

Example configuration A: measurement of the signal quality is promptedand executed—e.g. serially or at least partly in parallel—for eightmeasurement bands 301-308 which are arranged adjacent to each other andwhich extend beyond the given band 200 of the target cell 101-103.Hence, said band 200 of the target cell 101-103 is different from andincludes each individual one of the measurement bands 303-306. On theother hand, the combined plurality of measurement bands 301-308 isdifferent from and includes said band 200 of the target cell 101-103.

Example configuration B: measurement of the signal quality is promptedand executed for a single measurement band 309 which extends beyond theband 200 of the target cell 101-103. Hence, the measurement band 309 isdifferent from and includes said band 200 of the target cell 101-103.

Example configuration C: measurement of the signal quality is promptedand executed for a single measurement band 310 which does not extendbeyond the band 200 of the target cell 101-103. Hence, said band 200 ofthe target cell 101-103 is different to and includes the measurementband 310.

Example configuration D: measurement of the signal quality is promptedand executed for two measurement bands 311, 312 which are arrangedadjacent and outside the band 200 of the target cell 101-103. Hence,each one of the two measurement bands 311, 312 is different from theband 200 of the target cell 101-103.

Example configuration E: measurement of the signal quality is promptedand executed for four measurement bands 313-316 which are arrangedwithin the band 200 for which the bandwidth 201 and the center frequency202 are illustrated in FIG. 4. Hence, said band 200 of the target cell101-103 is different from and includes each one of the measurement bands313-316.

FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram illustrating aspects with respect tocontrol signaling employed for prompting and reporting the measurementof the signal quality of the signal received on the measurement band300-316. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates aspects with respect toindicating the measurement band 300-316 in absolute terms, i.e., withoutreference to the band 200 of a cell 101-103 of the cellular network 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a scenario where the UE 120 is connected to thecellular network 100 via the cell 102/the access point node 302. Thecell 102 is thus referred to as the connected cell 102.

At some point in time, the access point node 302 sends a control message801 to the UE 120 in the band 200 of the connected cell 102. In thescenario of FIG. 5, the control message 801 is aRRCConnectionReconfiguration message. In the scenario of FIG. 5, thecontrol message 801 includes an indicator indicating the measurementband 300-316 in absolute terms. In particular, the control message 801indicates a start frequency and center frequency of the measurement band300-316. In other scenarios, the control message 801 may indicate acenter frequency and a bandwidth of the measurement band 300-316. Thevarious scenarios disclosed herein, it is possible that the controlmessage 801 includes indicators for a plurality of measurement bands300-316 (see FIG. 4, scenarios A and E).

In the scenario of FIG. 5 the measurement of the signal quality of thesignal received on the measurement band 300-316, at 802, can be executedwithout reference and abstract of the bands 200 of any one of thefurther cells 301, 303 of the cellular network 100.

Next, a report message 803 is sent by the UE 120 and received by theaccess point node 302. The report message 803 generally includes anindicator indicating the measured signal quality. The report message803, in the example of FIG. 5, is a measurement report which includesthe RSSI and RSRP measured at 802.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram which generally corresponds to FIG. 5.However, with respect to FIG. 6, a scenario is illustrated where thecontrol message 812 includes an indicator indicating the measurementband 300-316 in relative terms with respect to at least one of abandwidth 201 of a band 200 of a target cell 101-103 and a centerfrequency of the band 200 of the target cell 101-103, i.e., by referringsomehow to the band 200 of the target cell 101-103 for definition of themeasurement band 300-313.

Generally, the target cell with respect to which the measurement band300-316 is indicated can be any cell 101-103 of the cellular network100. In the example of FIG. 6, the target cell is the connected cell 102via which the UE 120 is connected with the cellular network 100.

In the scenario of FIG. 6, at some point in time, the UE 120 receives acontrol message 811 in the form of the Master Information Block (MIB),see 3GPP TS 36.331 V12.6.0 (2015), section 6.2.2 “Message definitions”.The control message 811 includes an indicator indicating the bandwidth201 of the band 200 of the target cell 102, i.e., the parameterdl_Bandwidth. E.g., the indicator may indicate the bandwidth 201 of theband 200 of the target cell 102 explicitly, i.e., by specifying acertain frequency range; and/or implicitly, e.g., by referring to anumber of RBs.

The control message 811, in the example of FIG. 6, is communicated in amulticast or broadcast transmission, i.e., not directed exclusively tothe UE 120, but to a possibly undefined plurality of recipients. E.g.,the access point node 302 may be configured to send the control message811 at reoccurring points in time, e.g., at a predefined frequency.E.g., the UE 120 may receive the control message 811 during initialattach or handover.

At some later point in time, the access point node 302 sends the controlmessage 812 which is received by the UE 120. The control message 812includes an indicator which indicates the measurement band 300-316 inrelative terms with respect to the center frequency of the band 200 ofthe target cell 102, i.e., includes the ARFCN indicative of the band 200of the target cell 102. Further, the control message 812 includes anindicator which indicates the target cell 102, i.e., in the illustratedscenario the cell_ID. Further, the control message 812 indicates asubset or fraction which defines the measurement band 300-316 inrelative terms with respect to the bandwidth 201 of the band 200 of thetarget cell 102, as indicated by the control message 811. E.g., thesubset could specify that the measurement band should span half thebandwidth 201 of the band 200 of the target cell 102. E.g., the subsetcould specify that the measurement band should be offset with respect tothe center frequency 202 of the band 200 of the target cell 102 by acertain amount.

While in the scenario of FIG. 5 (FIG. 6) a single (two) control messages811, 812 are employed, in the various scenarios disclosed herein,generally, a smaller or larger number of control message(s) may beemployed for prompting execution of the measurement of the signalquality.

Based on the information included in the two control messages 811, 812,the UE then, at 813, executes the measurement of the signal quality ofthe signal received on the measurement band 300-316 and sends ameasurement report 814. 813 and 814 generally corresponds to 802, 803.

FIG. 7 is a signaling diagram which generally corresponds to thescenario of FIG. 6. However, while in the scenario of FIG. 6 themeasurement band 300-316 is specified in relative terms with respect tothe connected cell 102, in the scenario of FIG. 7, the measurement band300-316 is specified in relative terms with respect to a further cell101 which is served by the access point node 301 and via which the UE120 is not connected to the cellular network 100. Hence, the target cell101 differs from the connected cell 102.

Thus, in the scenario of FIG. 7, the UE 120 receives a broadcastedcontrol message 821 in the form of the MIB from the access point node301. The UE 120 listens for and receives the control message 821 only inresponse to receiving the control message 822 which generallycorresponds to the control message 812, but indicates the target cell101. The control message 821 then includes an indicator indicating thebandwidth 201 of the band 200 of the target cell 101.

823, 824 generally correspond to 813, 814.

With respect to FIGS. 5-7, above, example scenarios are disclosed wherein response to receiving the control messages 801, 812, 822,respectively, a single report message 803, 814, 824 including anindicator indicating the measured signal quality of the measurement band200 is sent. Generally, in the various scenarios disclosed herein, it ispossible that the request message prompts execution of a plurality ofmeasurements of the signal quality, e.g., in different measurement bands300-316 or repeatedly in the same measurement band 300-316. E.g., invarious scenarios, it may be possible that the request message promptsexecution of a plurality of time-spaced measurements of the signalquality on one and the same measurement band 300-316. Alternatively oradditionally, it is also possible that the request message promptsexecution of a plurality of measurements for a plurality of measurementbands 300-316. Measurement reports may be aggregated into a signalreport message to reduce signalling load.

E.g., in some scenarios, it is possible that the control messageprompting execution of the measurement of the signal quality of thesignal received on the measurement band 300-316 indicates a timeschedule; then, it is possible that a plurality of time-spacedmeasurements of the signal quality of signals received on themeasurement band 300-316 are executed based on the time schedule. E.g.,the time schedule may specify a frequency with which the plurality ofmeasurements of the signal quality of signals received on themeasurement band 300-316 are executed. E.g., the time schedule mayprospectively specify points in time at which the plurality ofmeasurements of the signal quality of signals received on themeasurement band 300-316 are executed. In such a scenario, it becomespossible to prospectively send the control message that prompts theexecution of the plurality of measurements. E.g., the control messagemay be sent during an initial attach or negotiation phase.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the UE 120. The UE 120 comprises aprocessor 902, e.g., a multi-core processor. The processor 902 iscoupled with a memory 903, e.g., a non-volatile memory. The processor902 is further coupled with a human machine interface (HMI) 904. Via theHMI 904, information may be output to a user and/or information may beinput from a user.

The UE 120 further comprises a data interface 901. The data interface901 further comprises an analogue transceiver 905 including atransmitter stage and a receiver stage. The analogue transceiver 905 isconfigured to wirelessly send and/or receive (transceive) on variousbands 200 of the cells 101-103 of the cellular network 100. The datainterface 901 facilitates communication with the cellular network 100in, both, UL and DL direction via the analogue transceiver 905.

The memory 903 may store program code that may be executed by theprocessor 902. Executing the program code may cause the processor 902 toperform techniques with respect to executing the measurement of thesignal quality of a signal received on the measurement band 300-316 asdisclosed herein. Executing the program code may cause the processor 902to receive control messages 801, 811, 812, 822 according to variousscenarios disclosed herein which prompt execution of the measurement ofthe signal quality; and sending of a report message 803, 814, 824according to various scenarios disclosed herein which includes anindicator of the measured signal quality.

FIG. 9 illustrates an access point node 301-303 in greater detail. E.g.,the access point node may be an evolved Node B (eNB). The access pointnode 301-303 includes a processor 912, e.g., a multi-core processor. Theprocessor 912 is coupled with a memory 913, e.g., a non-volatile memory.The processor 912 is further coupled with an HMI 914. Information may beoutput to a user via the HMI 914 and it may be received from a user viathe HMI 914. The access point node 301-303 further comprises a datainterface 911. The data interface 911 comprises an analogue transceiver915 which is configured to wirelessly transceive on band 200 of therespective cell 101-103 of the cellular network 100 served by the accesspoint node 301-303. The data interface 911 may be configured tocommunicate with the UE 120 via the analogue transceiver 915 in, both,UL and DL direction.

The memory 913 may store program code that may be executed by theprocessor 912. Executing the program code may cause the processor 912 toperform techniques as disclosed herein with respect to prompting the UE120 to perform the measurement of the signal quality of the signalreceived on the measurement band 300-316. In particular, execution ofthe program code may cause the processor 912 to send a control messagevia the data interface 911/the analogue transceiver 915 to the UE 120,the control message 801, 811, 812, 822 prompting the UE 120 to executethe measurement. Further, execution of the program code may cause theprocessor 912 to receive a report message 803, 814, 824 via the datainterface 911/the analogue transceiver 915 from the UE 120, the reportmessage 803, 814, 824 indicating the measured signal quality.

FIG. 10 illustrates the network node 350 of the core network. E.g., thenetwork node 350 may be a gateway node such as the Serving Gateway Node(SGW) or the Packet Gateway Node (PGW). The network node 350 comprises aprocessor 922, e.g., a multi-core processor. The network node 350further comprises a memory 923, e.g., a non-volatile memory. The networknode 350 further comprises a HMI 924. Information may be output to auser via the HMI 924 and may be received from a user via the HMI 924.The network node 350 further comprises the data interface 921. The datainterface 921 is configured to communicate with the UE 120 in, both, ULand DL direction.

The memory 923 may store program code that may be executed by theprocessor 922. Executing the program code may cause the processor 922 toperform techniques as disclosed herein with the with respect toprompting the UE 122 perform the measurement of the signal quality ofthe signal received on the measurement band 300-316. In particular,execution of the program code may cause the processor 912 to send acontrol message 801, 811, 812, 822 via the data interface 921 to the UE120, the control message 801, 811, 812, 822 prompting the UE 120 toexecute the measurement. Further, execution of the program code maycause the processor 922 to receive a report message 803, 814, 824 viathe data interface 921 from the UE 120, the report message 803, 814, 824indicating the measured signal quality.

E.g., execution of the program code stored in the memory 903 of the UE120 may cause the processor 902 to execute the method as illustrated bythe flowchart of FIG. 11. First, a control message is received, 1001.The control message 1001 indicates a measurement band 300-316. Thecontrol message prompts the UE 120 to execute a measurement of a signalquality of a signal received in the measurement band 300-316. At 1002,the measurement of the signal quality of the signal received in themeasurement band 300-316 is executed. Optionally, a report message maybe sent to the cellular network 100, the report message indicating themeasured signal quality (not shown in FIG. 11).

E.g., executing the program code stored in either the memory 913 of oneof the access point nodes 301-303 or the memory 923 of the network node350 may cause the respective processor 912, 922 to execute the method asillustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 12. First, a control message issent, 1011. The control message as sent in 1011 generally corresponds tothe control message as received in 1001.

Next, the report message is received, 1012. The report message indicatesthe measured signal quality.

At 1013, the band 200 of at least one cell 101-103 of the cellularnetwork 100 is modified based on the measured signal quality. 1013 is anoptional step.

FIG. 13 illustrates aspects with respect to modifying the band 200 of agiven cell 101-103 as a function of time. FIG. 13 illustratesschematically the time-frequency resource allocation scheme. As can beseen, over the course of time, a band of a control channel 101A occupiesthe entire bandwidth and is not modified, i.e., is time invariant.

Initially, the band of a physical payload channel of the cell 101occupies the entire band 200 of the depicted frequencies. However, aftera certain period of time, sub-cells 101-1-101-3 are defined bymodification of the band 200 of the cell 101. This may be referred to asnetwork or resource slicing.

Such techniques of network slicing may find application in atransmission resource allocation scheme that relies on dividing thetotal available bandwidth between various users or classes/types ofusers. The resource grid as illustrated in FIG. 13 may be shared betweenthe various sub-cells 101-1-101-3. Different sub-cells 101-1-101-3 canbe multiplexed within the total available bandwidth, wherein thesub-cells 101-1-101-3 are using parts of the same time/frequencyresource grid.

Based on the techniques as disclosed above regarding the arbitrarydefinition of the measurement bands 300-316, information may availablethat allows to effectively modify the bands 200 of the various cells101-103, 101-1-101-3. In particular, the techniques as illustrated aboveallow coexistence of, both, narrowband and wideband systems that usedifferent parts of the available frequency spectrum. It becomes possibleto optimize the bands of the various cells with respect to different usecases and/or device capabilities.

Based on the arbitrarily defined measurement band 300-316, a schedulerof the cellular network 100 may flexibly obtain in-depth informationabout different ways of utilizing the available spectrum—in particular,information can be available by flexibly dimensioning measurement bands300-316 that are not limited to the bands of cells 101-103 currently inuse. These techniques thus allowed to employ the spectrum more flexiblywith the bands 200 of different cells 101-103 being modified as afunction of time based on, e.g., techniques of network slicing.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain preferred embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occurto others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of thespecification. The present invention includes all such equivalents andmodifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

E.g., while above various examples have been disclosed with respect tomeasurement of the signal received for DL transmission, similartechniques may be readily applied for a signal received for ULtransmission.

E.g., while above various examples have been disclosed with respect tothe 3GPP LTE RAT, similar techniques may be readily applied to differentkinds and types of RATs.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: an analoguetransceiver configured to wirelessly transceive on bands of at least onecell of a cellular network, a data interface coupled with the analoguetransceiver and configured to communicate, via the analogue transceiver,with the cellular network, at least one processor coupled with the datainterface and configured to receive, from the cellular network and viathe data interface, at least one control message, the at least onecontrol message indicating a measurement band, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to control the analogue transceiver to execute ameasurement of a signal quality of a signal received on the measurementband, wherein the measurement band differs from the bands used by thecellular network.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least onecontrol message includes an indicator indicating the measurement band inabsolute terms.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least onecontrol message includes an indicator indicating the measurement band inrelative terms with respect to at least one of a bandwidth of the bandof a target cell of the at least one cell and a center frequency of theband of the target cell.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at leastone control message includes elements selected from the groupcomprising: an indicator indicating a bandwidth of the band of thetarget cell; an indicator indicating a center frequency of the band ofthe target cell; and an indicator indicating the target cell.
 5. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor is configured toreceive, from the cellular network via the data interface on the band ofthe target cell in a broadcast transmission, at least one furthercontrol message, the at least one further control message including anindicator indicating the bandwidth of the band of the target cell. 6.The device of claim 3, wherein the band of the target cell includes themeasurement band.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to receive, from the cellular network via thedata interface on the band of a connected cell of the at least one cell,the at least one control message, wherein the device is connected to thecellular network via the connected cell.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein the at least one control message includes an indicatorindicating the measurement band in relative terms with respect to atleast one of a bandwidth of the band of a target cell of the at leastone cell and a center frequency of the band of the target cell, andwherein the connected cell is the target cell or is different from thetarget cell.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to send, to the cellular network and via thedata interface, a report message, the report message including anindicator indicating the measured signal quality.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one control message indicates a timeschedule, wherein the at least one processor is configured to controlthe analogue transceiver to serially execute a plurality of time-spacedmeasurements of the signal quality of signals received on themeasurement band based on the time schedule.
 11. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one control message indicates a plurality ofmeasurement bands, wherein the at least one processor is configured tocontrol the analogue transceiver to execute measurements of the signalqualities of signals received on each one of the plurality ofmeasurement bands.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least onecontrol message includes an indicator indicating the measurement band inrelative terms with respect to at least one of a bandwidth of the bandof a target cell of the at least one cell and a center frequency of theband of the target cell, and wherein the plurality of measurement bandsare arranged adjacent to each other and include the band of the targetcell.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the measured signal quality isselected from the group comprising: a received signal strength; aReceive Signal Strength Indicator; an average total received power of aplurality of reference symbols; a received signal power; a ReferenceSignal Received Power; a relation between a received signal strength anda received signal power; a Reference Signal Received Quality.
 14. Amethod, comprising: receiving, from a cellular network, at least onecontrol message, the at least one control message indicating ameasurement band, controlling an analogue transceiver to execute ameasurement of a signal quality of a signal received on the measurementband, wherein the analogue transceiver is configured to wirelesslytransceiver on bands of at least once cell of a cellular network,wherein the measurement band differs from the bands used by the cellularnetwork.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving, from a cellular network,at least one control message, the at least one control messageindicating a measurement band, controlling an analogue transceiver toexecute a measurement of a signal quality of a signal received on themeasurement band, wherein the analogue transceiver is configured towirelessly transceiver on bands of at least once cell of the cellularnetwork, wherein the measurement band differs from the bands used by thecellular network, wherein the method is executed by the device ofclaim
 1. 16. A network node of a cellular network, comprising: a datainterface configured to communicate with a terminal connected with thecellular network via a connected cell of at least one cell of a cellularnetwork, at least one processor coupled with the data interface andconfigured to send, to the terminal and via the data interface, at leastone control message, the at least one control message indicating ameasurement band and prompting the terminal to execute a measurement ofa signal quality of a signal received on the measurement band, whereinthe measurement band differs from bands used by the cellular network.17. The network node of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to receive, from the terminal and via the data interface, areport message, the report message including an indicator indicating themeasured signal quality.
 18. The network node of claim 17, wherein theat least one processor is configured to modify the bands of the at leastone cell depending on the measured signal quality.
 19. A method,comprising: sending, to a terminal connected with a cellular network viaa connected cell of at least one cell of a cellular network, at leastone control message, the at least one control message indicating ameasurement band and prompting the terminal to execute a measurement ofa signal quality of a signal received on the measurement band, whereinthe measurement band differs from bands used by the cellular network.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is executed by a networknode of a cellular network, comprising: a data interface configured tocommunicate with a terminal connected with the cellular network via aconnected cell of at least one cell of the cellular network, at leastone processor coupled with the data interface and configured to send, tothe terminal and via the data interface, at least one control, the atleast one control message indicating a measurement band and promptingthe terminal to execute a measurement of a signal quality of a signalreceived on the measurement band, wherein the measurement band differsfrom bands used by the cellular network.